The United States used another balanced effort with five players posting double figures in points as the Americans routed Spain 103-63 at the 2016 Rio Olympics to record their 43rd straight win in Olympic competition. Diana Taurasi led the way 13 points, Elena Delle Donne and Sylvia Fowles chipped in with 12 points each and Angel McCoughtry and Brittney Griner each contributed 10 points. Alba Torrens was Spain's high scorer with 20 points while Astou Ndour scored 13 points.
United States take control late in the first quarter
The Americans started out a bit slowly as Spain kept the game close, but they kicked it into high gear and led 29-14 after the first ten minutes. The Spaniards played well in the second quarter, only being outscored 25-23, but the Americans still led 54-37 heading into the halftime break. The United States defense was at another level as they permitted Spain just 26 points total in the second half while putting on a strong offensive performance to easily close out the victory.
The Americans' defense smothered Spain, holding them to 35.4% from the field while forcing 23 turnovers and outrebounding the Spaniards 46-32. On offense, the US shot 54.7% from the field while scoring at least 20 points in every quarter, a testament to their strength and versatility. The one stat where Spain had an advantage was behind the three-point line, going 7-14 while the Americans were 5-16.
Key performers of the game
The Americans had a huge edge off of the bench, outscoring Spain 55-16, outrebounding them 24-9 and outscoring them 14-1 from the free throw line. McCoughtry had five rebounds while Seimone Augustus led te bench brigade with three assists.
Next games
The United States will next face Serbia on Wednesday. After close losses to Spain and Canada by a combined ten points, the Serbs have proven to be a decent team, but with the depth, verstaility, strength and power the Americans have, don't expect this to be a close game as they wil be massive favorites to remain undefeated in their group.
Spain will next face China, also on Wednesday. The Spaniards are the third-ranked team in the world and they are heavy favorites to sweep aside the Chinese. They already have a win in the group and despite the heavy defeat at the hands of the Americans, a win here would boost their chances of qualifying for the medal round.
US talks about the win, strength in squad
Tamika Catchings, playing in her final Olympics, spoke about the team and victory: "Weapons. We're full of weapons. One through 12, everybody that comes in contributes to some capacity," Catchings said. "And that's offensively, defensively as well. You're talking about 100 points - you've got to be able to score. It's fun. It's fun to watch. It's fun to be a part of. When we move the ball and everybody is just kind of like, everybody's doing their part, screening, rolling, cutting to the basket, you never know where the shot is going to come from. As a team, we're so selfless."
Sue Bird: "A lot of Olympic teams that I've been on have had offensive power, but now we go all the way down the line to the 12th player," said Bird, who had nine points and five assists in the win. "And the minute you stop there's no let-off. That person comes in and can do just as much offensively as the next. And also, we have our foot on the gas pedal. We're trying to get better in every single game and you can't, you can't relax. I know the score is, it is what it is. But we don't relax regardless."
Coach Geno Auriemma: "Everyone we bring in off the bench can score and make a play," Auriemma said. "It's fun to watch. For as little time as we had together, we do a lot of really nice things out there which is nice to see."